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Inn Suites - Lafayette Hotel
San Diego, California
Renewed Vision and Life For A
Grand Old Lady
The Inn Suites Hotel located the corner of Mississippi
Street and El Cajon Boulevard in one of San Diego’s most ‘hip” and
trendy central neighborhoods is enjoying renewed vitality and a return
to her former glory. First developed as Imig Manor, the hotel caused
quite a stir when she opened her doors in 1946. Local Residents got used
to seeing Bob Hope, Eva Gardner and many more celebrities. Enthusiasts
would gather and play guessing games, “Was that really Betty Grable,
Harry James etc. coming to enjoy the hotel’s tropical pool or party in
its luxury ballroom?”
Over the years the name was changed to The Lafayette.
Guests had reunions, met future husbands at graduations and married them
here. Jazz groups have played in her historic Mississippi Ballroom and
anyone with any imagination will feel their ghosts’ presence to this
day. Sports groups have enjoyed her Olympic sized swimming pool and
smile with acknowledgement when told that Tarzan designed it (really!).
The Lafayette has continued to cause quite a stir in more recent years
as scenes from famous movies such as Top Gun were filmed here. InnSuites
has added value with great rates and by going “the extra mile” to see to
it that guests receive the best of service and a smile.
Larry Imig had a vision, an architect extraordinaire –
before his time. The hotel was recently purchased by Hampstead Partners.
Hampstead shares his vision. In the business of repositioning properties
and redeveloping neighborhoods for over 30 years, the firm has already
committed significant resources to refurbish the hotel and to bring her
back to her former glory. Guests returning to the hotel will notice an
immediate difference and attention to detail. Over the next 3 years
Hampstead will invest over $4 million in the main hotel building as part
of an historic renovation and another $100 million just to the south to
develop luxury residences and amenities to be enjoyed by condominium
owners and hotel guests alike as part of an exciting renewed and
revitalized urban experience.
Hampstead Partners latest project in Southern
California includes a venture to rehabilitate over 1300 residential
units in Los Angeles as part of a redevelopment effort known as The Los
Angeles Preservation Project.
The new owners and management at The Lafayette hope
that our guests will enjoy sharing in this exciting vision. Although the
final echoes of the big bands have died away, entertainment still
continues nightly at the Red Fox Steak House and Piano Bar. When the
music stops, the memories, imbedded in the walls, fill the empty spaces.
Come and discover, San Diego’s Hollywood connection.
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